Wine Reviews by Denman Moody

And don’t save the champagne just for special occasions By Denman Moody TheAdvancedOenophile.com Bubbly: For many, no matter what their level of wine knowledge, the sound of a Champagne cork popping engenders surprise, excitement and the expectation of something good to follow. They’re right, only it’s a shame that this wonderful product is reserved primarily […]

By Denman Moody TheAdvancedOenophile.com Here are some suggestions for excellent wines that you don’t have to wait years to enjoy. Sparkling J Vineyards and Winery J Cuvée 20 Brut Sonoma County — Different vineyard lots were fermented and kept separately prior to blending. After two years in the cellar, the bottles were riddled, disgorged […]

It’s a good time of year for fortified wines By Denman Moody Author, The Advanced Oenophile Winter, or what we have of it in Houston, is the prime time to enjoy Port and Madeira. These are fortified wines. As the juice from the grapes is fermenting, instead of allowing them to complete fermentation, at around 7 […]

A must-visit for any Oenophiles who find themselves in Sonoma County By Denman Moody Author, The Advanced Oenophile For many generations, it was thought that the first estates of Bordeaux — Lafite, Latour, Margaux, Haut-Brion, Mouton, Ausone, Cheval Blanc and Petrus — had no equals. Of course, there was a vocal minority who claimed the […]

By Denman Moody Author, The Advanced Oenophile It is a common practice to prefer cold white wines in the summer, and hold back the vintage Oportos and the big reds for cooler weather. Since the advent of air conditioning, this notion has faded somewhat; for example, one orders big reds at their favorite steakhouses regardless […]

The cultural shift to drinking wine during meals By Denman Moody TheAdvancedOenophile.com In the ’60s and early ’70s, wine was plentiful — mostly in the sweet red (Lambrusco), sweet white (Liebfraumilch), sweet fizzy (Mateus and Lancers) and jug wines (Almaden Rhine Wine, Inglenook Chablis, Gallo Hearty Burgundy, etc.). At a steak house, most would have […]

A tasteful visit with a sixth-generation winemaker By Denman Moody TheAdvancedOenophile.com It was my pleasure to meet and sip some bubbly with Elise Losfelt, one of the winemakers from Moet & Chandon. She is also spokesperson for the company, communicating its technical wine message to markets within France and abroad. She looks too young to […]

By Denman Moody TheAdvancedOenophile.com Wine-in-a-Box: Big House Red 2011 — With a base of Petite Sirah and Syrah this is a successful blend of 10 or so varietals, including some of the Italians. My favorite box red. Three liters with a spigot. That’s 16 six- ounce glasses of pretty decent red wine for just over […]

By Denman Moody TheAdvancedOenophile.com More Wine, Better Wine is the motto of my friend, Dr. James A. White III, Alexandria, La. Oenophile. SPARKLING: Paul Cheneau Brut Cava non-vintage (Spain) — “The Spanish Sparkling with French Expertise.” Made in the traditional Champagne method, this is a cava that is competitive with the big boys. Main […]

By Denman Moody theadvancedoenophile.com Last month, I discussed the $5,000 per couple dinner for the Sheriff’s Foundation held at the home of Deana and Larry Blackburn on Sept. 29, 2012. The lineup of chefs — probably unrivaled in the world that evening — were the chairman, president and vice president of the Bocuse d’Or Foundation, […]

By Denman Moody Author, The Advanced Oenophile On September 29, 2012, at the spectacular new home of Deana and Larry Blackburn, an astounding dinner occurred, which may not be repeated in Houston for decades, if ever. To start at the beginning, there is an organization in Houston called the Sheriff’s Foundation. The funds raised for […]

And a nod to Landry’s and 1252 Tapas Bar By Denman Moody Author, The Advanced Oenophile WHITE: LANGETWINS Chardonnay Clarksburg 2010 — For three decades, the Lange family has practiced sustainable farming. The current family (all nine of them) opened a winery in 2006. With estate vineyards spread out between two different appellations, plenty […]

By Denman Moody Author, The Advanced Oenophile Fall Creek Vineyards expands on a Texas wine tradition October 1-31 is Texas Wine Month. To find out all about it, visit the website texaswinetrail.com and click on “buy tickets.” I recommend highly that you take advantage of this great offer ($5 of each $20 ticket goes for […]

By Denman Moody Author, The Advanced Oenophile One of my wealthiest friends told me that he thinks a popular article would be on under $10 wines. In fact, he had me do a tasting once of “The Best Wines You’ve Never Heard Of”, and most of them were in the $10 range. If one purchases […]

By Bill Anderson, Publisher Denman Moody has been our wine editor since March of 2000. He has been a wine writer of national and international fame since 1978. Linda and I have often thought of the following questions to ask Denman, and just decided to do it here, so we could share the answers with […]

By Denman Moody Author: The Advanced Oenophile White Wines: Erath Pinot Gris (Oregon) 2010 — One of two great varietals in Oregon, this crisp little filly has excellent acidity with apples and citrus flavors, followed by a clean, bright finish. Sips well alone or with food. $14 Kendall Jackson Chardonnay Grand Reserve 2010 — Just […]

Cade Howell Mountain Cabernet – the best this year in its price range By Denman Moody White: Stella Pinot Grigio (Italy) 2010 — Can’t find my notes, but this little dude with a screwcap is a startlingly good value. $7.99 Zenato Pinot Grigio delle Venezie 2010 — One of the best values in Pinot […]

By Denman Moody Sparkling Wine: Handley Brut Rosé Anderson Valley 2006—One of the unsung heroes of the sparkling wines of California. Made in the same area as Roederer Estate, this is a perennial winner. Grapes for this wine were planted in 1990, and the vineyard was certified organic in 2005. Excellent acidity and lovely strawberry/citrus […]

Denman Moody, who has been tasting and writing about wine since the 1970s, shares his vast knowledge with readers hoping to take their wine knowledge to the next level in The Advanced Oenophile. Moody presents wine fans with a new, entertaining and educational book that provides practical information that can only be obtained from a […]

By Denman Moody In 1904, Louis Kunde acquired the historical Wildwood Vineyard about 15 miles north of Sonoma and shortly thereafter built a winery. His son Arthur took over at Louis’ death in 1922, and Arthur’s two sons greatly expanded the estate. In the 1960s and 1970s, the fourth generation continued the expansion, planting additional […]